Minneapolis Shooting: Eyewitness Reports Contradict Federal Account of Fatal Incident

Tue Feb 03 2026 20:54:42 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, was shot dead by federal agents in Minneapolis. Eyewitness accounts and family statements challenge the official narrative of the incident.

In a shocking incident, 37-year-old Alex Pretti was fatally shot by federal agents during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. While federal officials claim Pretti brandished a firearm, eyewitnesses assert he was unarmed and holding a phone. The local community is in uproar as Pretti's family demands the truth about the events leading to his death. This incident follows another fatal shooting by federal agents just weeks prior, further intensifying local protests against federal enforcement activities.

Minneapolis Shooting: Eyewitness Reports Contradict Federal Account of Fatal Incident

Federal agents shot and killed a man in Minneapolis on Saturday, the second person to be fatally shot in the city during the Trump administration's immigration enforcement crackdown this month.

Local officials identified the man as 37-year-old Alex Pretti, a US citizen who lived in Minneapolis and worked as a nurse. Videos have emerged showing a scuffle between Border Patrol agents and the man in the lead up to the shooting.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed the agents fired in self-defense after Pretti, allegedly armed with a handgun, resisted their attempts to disarm him. However, eyewitnesses, local officials, and Pretti’s family challenge this narrative, asserting he was holding a phone and not a weapon. His parents accused the government of spreading 'sickening lies' about their son.

The shooting occurred around 9:05 a.m. near Nicollet Avenue and 26th Street during a ‘targeted’ immigration enforcement operation. Video evidence depicts Pretti engaging with agents while filming the encounter on his phone, contradicting claims of him having a gun.

Eyewitness accounts describe escalating tension as agents used force against Pretti, who was defending bystanders. Multiple videos show agents grappling with him and evidence of excessive force on display. As shots rang out, multiple bystanders were present, raising concerns over accountability and federal agency practices.

After the incident, DHS shared a photo purportedly showing the weapon and ammunition linked to Pretti, suggesting a narrative of imminent threat. Still, the Minneapolis Police Chief indicated a lack of specific details communicated by DHS regarding the shooting.

In the wake of the shooting, communities in Minneapolis have reignited protests against federal enforcement actions, calling for the withdrawal of federal agents from the city. Pretti's family continues to advocate for transparency and truth regarding their loved ones' tragic death.